By Kassim Afegbua
I have read so many contortions and translations of Governor Monday Okpebholo‘s advisory to Peter Obi over the latter’s visit to Edo state a week ago. If only they understood Okpebholo’s tenor in making that remark, all the twists, contortions and conclusions would be needless. What is right is always right: as a matter of course, Peter Obi ought to extend courtesies to the incumbent governor of Edo state, Governor Monday Okpebholo, before such a visit. Indeed, as a former Governor this is known to him. At the moment, he holds a position that makes it mandatory for him to announce his visit to any state.
Naturally, before such VIPs enter into any state, it is simple protocol to inform the Governor of his itinerary. The Governor will in turn provide him necessary logistics of vehicular support for his mobility, additional security, as well as a protocol officer that would give direction to his movement; this is standard practice. If unfortunately Obi had encountered security challenges and or threats, the story today would have been different. The Governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state, hence it is proper to extend such courtesies to him, and he is expected to reciprocate such gesture by being a good host.
Peter Obi’s handlers didn’t reason that way. They couldn’t see beyond their Obidient Movement interest. If anything untoward had happened during Obi’s visit,e.g. a stampede, and injuries or death occurred, Peter Obi would have himself to blame. Coming into Edo to address Students of Saint Philomena School of Nursing without prior notice to the Governor was improper, even though it is a Private school of the Catholic Faith. Some opinions speak of the rights of Peter Obi to carry out his assignment; nobody has said otherwise. On the face of it, it is highly impolitic for Obi to carry his campaign to a School of Nursing on a day when the students should have been in class. His assignment could have been misinterpreted as inciting public disturbance. Politics within a School of Nursing, shouldn’t be encouraged, especially when they are supposed to be in class learning. Instead they were gathered in a hall, singing “na our papa be this.” Indeed the internal blame sits firmly on the Rector of the school.
Without a doubt, it is proper that when Obi intends to visit any state, he extends courtesy to whoever is Governor of that state; but particularly, for Edo State, Governor Okpebholo has made it clear that he must be informed afore, anytime Obi plans to visit his state again. It doesn’t diminish his status, instead ignoring such protocol diminishes Obi’s personality. Politics is not war. Opposition politics is an integral part of the democratic process; some kind of partnership in progress, to make Nigeria healthier. We are ostensibly bound by same vision and destiny of a united Nigeria with clear-cut cohesion that should cement relationships, not fan the embers of divisions in the name of politics. Peter Obi gave the same to ElRufai sometime ago, when the latter cried out that he was detained, and or arrested for 48 hours by Obi in Anambra during elections in Anambra. Does it mean ElRufai does not have freedom of movement too? So obviously, Obi knows what Okpebholo is talking about. Heaven didn’t fall then, as Obi stood his ground. Courtesy is not a sign of weakness but that of civilisation.
I remember former President Obasanjo’s private visit to Edo, during the administration of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. As a matter of protocol, President Obasanjo came to the Government House to greet Governor Oshiomhole. In a hilarious way, he told Governor Oshiomhole that he had come for a private event in Benin City but considered it necessary to “report” himself as a matter of protocol. And Comrade Oshiomhole extended all the due courtesies to the former President.
Edo Governor and State have been battling with cultism in higher institutions and across towns and city of the state. We don’t need Peter Obi’s distraction in our clear resolve to make Edo state a better place for the citizens. We don’t need anyone to play politics with everything, coming to “play politics” under the guise of donating “shishi” could be booby trap. This aspect should be understood. If indeed the intentions of Peter Obi were altruistic, he would have notified the governor of his visit and what he intended to do. Sitting on top of our roof in the name of politics of charity is to me simply an act of being clever by half. Next time Peter Obi wants to visit Edo state, to play politics, he will be properly guided to extend courtesy to the state Governor. That way, both Obi and Okpebholo would be on same page, to guarantee his security during such a visit.
The Governor of Edo was happy that Obi came and left without any security incident. Governor Alia of Benue state outrightly stopped Obi from visiting the IDPs in his state. Obi was contemptuous of the Governor. He has been cautioned.
Afegbua, a former Commissioner for Information in Edo State writes from Abuja
